Legendary Wrestler. Georges Karl Julius Hackenschmidt (aka Hack or The Russian Lion) of German and Swedish decent was born at Dorpat in the province of Estonia, Russia now Tartu, Estonia. Hack was genetically and physically gifted. He took after his Swedish grandfather. Hack is considered one of the greatest Greco-Roman and Catch-as-Catch-can Wrestler's of all time. He excelled at cycling, gymnastics, swimming, running, jumping and weightlifting. Hack set at least a dozen world records in weightlifting that lasted over 50 years. He could from a wrestler's bridge press over 330 pounds twice. Hack even beat Sandow's record of an one arm lift of 269 pounds in 1898 on his 20th birthday. In weightlifting circles he is perhaps best know for his version of the squat named after him, the "Hack Squat". But it was wrestling were he became a legend. Hack was a enduring master of combat, winner of over 3000 straight fights. The Russian Lion's two greatest triumps came in 1904 when he defeated the American champion Tom Jenkins and then a giant Turkish wrestler named Madrali which he beat in 44 seconds with a crushing bear hug. Then their was his matches with Frank Gotch in Chicago 1908 and 1911, that everyone remembers. It was Hack's only defeat. Hack had quit after 2 hrs.,3 mins. in 1908. However gotch had resorted to unfair tactics. Then in 1911, at Comiskey Park was set a rematch which would become the match of the century. Gotch used an illegal toe-hold and tried to break Hack's leg, so Hack gave the I "give". It was just a couple of weeks before that Hack torn up his knee and wasn't suppose to wrestle. But being a man of his word Hack agreed, and so goes history. Jack Curley considerd George Hackenschmidt the greatest wrestler of all time with Jenkins second and Gotch third. Hack after retiring from wrestling, wrote books and lectured around the world. He spoke over seven languages. He lived with his french wife Rachel in South Norwood, London. He died at St.Francis Hospital in Dulwich, London, England. He was then cremated and his ashes were given to his wife Rachel where they were secretly scattered. Hack's ancestors are all buried in Tartu, Estonia at Raadi Cemetery. (bio by: Gregory Speciale)